Bookplate on a page from a Martyrs Mirror, done in the style of Ephrata Cloister with a flowing hand using strong, bold letters. Letters are black with green and orange infill. Bookplate simply reads: "Carl/ Christo/ phel." One flower is at top right and a stylized pot with plant having 3 flowers is at lower left. Page is float-mounted in a window mat with a handmade cherry frame.
Ephrata Cloister, Lancaster Co.
Removed from Martyrs Mirror by a previous owner (Evelyn Good) due to water damage to the book which was then discarded. The opposing page was also saved and is mounted in Mylar on reverse side of frame. It carries a ghost image of the bookplate; string from binding is visible.
Acquired with typewritten inscription mounted on back of frame states: "BOOKPLATE MADE FOR CARL CHRISTOPHEL FOR/ HIS COPY OF THE EPHRATA MARTYR'S MIRROR-1748./ WORK OF SISTER ANASTASIA THE PEN-ARTIST OF THE CLOISTER ABC PATTERN BOOK OF LETTERS."
According to Clarke Hess, the penwork is by an unknown Ephrata Cloister artist. Clarke notes that Carl Christophel was a deacon at New Danville Mennonite Church in Conestoga Twp.(now Pequea Twp.) He died in 1767.
In Masonic Lodge Fraktur exhibit for several years. Removed circa 2008.
On short-term exhibit at Historical Society of Cocalico Valley, 2010.
Unknown Ephrata Cloister artist
Provenance
Dr. Robbins purchased framed pages from Evelyn Yingst Good's sale, Sat., May 11, 1991, lot #152, for $3,800. Evelyn Good was an Ephrata librarian. Valued at $5000, Robbins sold to museum for $2,500, donating the other half. Irene Walsh then reimbursed museum for the $2,500.
Acid burned edges are brown; soiled along outside edges; stains and foxing. Moisture stain at top left. Remains of binding still attached at left. Moisture staining at upper left corner. Two minor tears at top center, with ragged edges overall. Paper losses within black ink.
Conserved by Marilyn Kemp Weidner of Phila.
Object ID
P.98.52.1
Place of Origin
Ephrata
Credit
Acquired through the generosity of Irene Walsh and Dr. Warren Robbins, Heritage Center Collection
1776-1976 bicentennial commemorative Conestoga Valley plate. White earthenware body with brown transferprint. Front features map of the Conestoga Valley in center surrounded by different buildings and scenes. Back has story of bicentennial printed in green along with maker's mark.
Five commerative medals from 1976 bicentenial - 200th anniversary of meeting of continental congress in Lancaster, George Ross ( 1730-1779), Adam Hubley, Edward Hand, David Ramsay, William Henry - medals with board for display
Front depicts three buildings of the Ephrata Cloister (Almonry, Saal, and Saron) and reads "Ephrata Cloister" beneath image. Plate has a floral design along its rim.
Back reads "Historic Pennsylvania / Ephrata Cloister / This Protestant Monastic Community was / founded by Conrad Beissel in 1732. Comprising / the spiritual colonial community were a / brotherhood, a sisterhood, and householders. / The religious excelled in calligraphic art, / music, and printing-of books and broadsides. / During the Revolutionary War they cared for / hundreds of wounded soldiers from the / battle of Brandywine in 1777. / / Three of the original buildings still standing / are shown - Almonry (alms and bakehouse) / SAAL (Meeting house) and Saron (Sister's house)"
